Practical Tips for Working Safely in Icy and Snowy Weather

Icy and snowy weather has a habit of staying hidden until we are all convinced it won’t appear, especially when in somewhere like the Highlands. One day it’s blue skied, the next the ground is frozen solid and everything seems to slow down by 5x. Whether you’re heading to work, working in and around the house, or just trying to get some milk at the shop, winter conditions bring risks that are easy to underestimate and make everyday living, much harder.

A bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are some practical tips that can help keep you moving (safely!) when the temperature drops and conditions unexpectedly turn.

Start With the Ground

Slips and falls are one of the biggest winter risks, and they happen out of nowhere. Ice on paths, the road or even in the workplace can turn a normal task into a painful , preventable accident.

If you’re responsible for a site, yard, or even just access to the office, grit early rather than risk someone falling. Pay even more attention to shady areas as these stay icy long after everything else feels clear.

Footwear matters more than people think too – even partially worn soles and smooth tread can cause serious falls. If your boots have lost their grip, don’t “push through” the season, get them replaced.

Take Extra Care on Site

Cold weather affects more than just roads & paths. Materials behave differently, tools feel heavier, and people often tire much quicker.

Metal tools and fixings get painfully cold, making gloves essential even for short contact or day jobs. Keep an eye when using ladders or scaffolding as that is when frost can be worst.

Rushing is where mistakes happen. Jobs take longer in winter, and that’s normal – it should be considered, not avoided. Allowing extra time for setup, the work itself and finishing up prevents you from rushing around or rushing home on unsafe roads.

Driving in Ice and Snow Is Part of the Job

For many people, getting and from work is the most dangerous part of the day in winter, especially with dark mornings and nights.

Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof before taking off. Leaving snow on top can seem fine at the time but, it can slide forward when braking and obstruct your view. It is also illegal.

Drive slower than normal. If you think you’re going ‘slow enough’, slow down a bit more to ensure safety. Gentle steering, gradual braking, and keeping plenty of distance from other drivers give you options when traction disappears without warning, particularly when moving on major busy roads.

Keep essentials in the vehicle. A torch, warm gloves, a scraper, and a shovel can make a big difference if you get stuck or need to help someone else get out of deep snow or a slippery situation!

Do Not Ignore Cold Hands and Fatigue

Cold hands make everything slower. Your focus can drop, your grip can weaken and mistakes happen. it is not worth the risk when working with tools, particularly sharp ones, so take your time.

Good gloves that keep you warm, but are still flexible really help. Swap them out when they get wet rather than continuing with them - go grab a spare pair out of the van as it removes all warmth you once had…!

Fatigue is another issue that isn’t talked about often. Cold conditions make work more tiring, or at least feel longer. Take short breaks, stay warm, and hydrated. It sounds basic, but it helps reduce accidents by a huge amount and you’d be surprised by how many people ignore these.

Prepare Before You Need To

The biggest winter mistakes happen when people react too late, or not at all.

Have grit, heaters, lighting, and winter clothing ready before conditions turn, not after. Waiting until you need something usually means it’s already too late, or stock may be running low.

A small amount of preparation removes a lot of stress, saves time, and keeps everyone happier.

Work Smarter Through Winter

Icy and snowy weather is annoying, and disruptive but it’s unavoidable so it’s best to just push through and prepare. You can’t avoid it coming but you can prepare for when it does.

Slow down when needed, use the right gear, and accept that winter work takes a bit more time and that’s okay. Doing things properly in bad conditions is not about being cautious, it’s about getting home in one piece and ensuring the job is done right.

At HIS, we stock the everyday essentials that help keep work moving through winter. No matter what it is, we can help.

Shop our wide range of departments in-store or online.

Terms and Conditions

Phone Number: 01463 239 160

Fax Number: 01463 233 424

We are happy to take orders via Fax or email. We are happy to take orders from Local Government, Schools, Colleges and Charities. Just fax or email your order to us and we will contact you to arrange payment. We can supply pre-sale invoices for your Purchase Orders.

CHEQUES. You may also pay by cheque. Cheque should be made out to "Highland Industrial Supplies Ltd". You should allow 7 working days for cheques to clear, after which the goods will be dispatched (subject to stock availability).

You have the right to cancel an order which is not built to special requirements. Please return the items to us within 28 days from the date they were received. Your delivery will contain a retuns slip, please complete this indicating if you require a refund or replacement. Goods must be returned in an unused state, and with their original packaging. The customer should obtain proof of postage or send goods via recorded delivery. The consumer is liable to pay for the cost of returning the goods to ourselves.

Making a Purchase

Making a purchase could not be easier. Just browse our Catalogue, and click on any items that you wish to buy and put them into the shopping cart. After you have finished your selection, click on "Order" and you will be asked for a few details that we need to be able to satisfy the order.

CREDIT CARDS: We accept Visa, MasterCard, Delta, Switch and Solo cards.

Collect in Store

You can choose to collect your order from one of our depots rather than having us deliver your items to you. If you select this option in the checkout, our customer service department will contact you when your order is ready for collection. In the checkout, simply select one of the following depots which is the most convenient for you.

Inverness Elgin Turriff Dundee Perth Fort William Kirkwall

Shipping and Handling

We recommend that goods should be inspected before they are signed for, as goods obviously damaged in transit should be REFUSED. You must notify us as soon as possible and ideally within 24 hours if at all possible, if your goods are subsequently found to be damaged.

If you buy more than one item you will only incur a single delivery charge. You will be charged the highest delivery charge relating to your order.

For example: if you buy 3 items each with a delivery charge of £6.95 then you will incur a single payment of £6.95 (not 3 x £6.95!). If however, you buy 2 items each with a delivery charge of £6.95 and 1 item with a delivery charge of £10.95 then you will pay a single delivery charge of £10.95 for the total order.

Please note that all goods must be signed for on delivery. If you are not at home when your order is delivered, a card will be posted through your door with details regarding collection/re-delivery.

Guarantee

In additional to your legal rights relating to faulty or misdescribed goods, all products come with manufacturer's warranty of between 1 and 5 years. In the unlikely event that your purchase develops a fault within the warranty period, HIS Ltd will refer you to your local dealership where the product will be examined by their qualified technicians and repaired as per the warranty details.

Returns Policy

At HIS Ltd we DO NOT operate a "Try & Return" policy. Faulty goods should be notified to us within 3 working days. If the option of taking them to a local dealership is not available then faulty goods should be returned to our head office. We can arrange courier collection at your cost. For Non-Faulty goods, please inform us within 14 days of receipt of your intention to return them. We must then receive them back within the following 14 days. (Excluding special order items).

All items must be returned in the same condition they were received.

Ordering

An online order through this website constitutes an offer to purchase the item(s) specified by you and does not constitute acceptance of your offer to purchase from us. Your purchase request will be reviewed by a member of our staff and you will be advised when the order has been accepted, normally within 12 hours of your offer. An unsuccessful purchase request will result in a full refund of any monies paid by you to HIS Ltd.